Pittsburghers shout for joy over Obama win

On Nov. 6 the first Black president of the United States of America was elected for a second term to the White House. For the second time President Barack Obama had done what only decades earlier many believed impossible.

IT’S A WIN—A group of President Barack Obama supporters cheer as his win for re-election is announced. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

“I think it’s a big step for America,” said Heather Hopkins, from South Park, at a Pittsburgh watch party. “I hope it shows Black children that anything is possible and the Black community in general.”

After most networks had concluded the result of the election, watchers at a local watch party at the Shadow Lounge in Pittsburgh began celebrating, but they also already had their eyes focused on the next four years.

“I am so excited,” said Ayanah Moor, from Highland Park. “There is more work that needs to be done and I am more hopeful that it will be accomplished.”

“There’s still a lot of work to do,” said East Liberty filmmaker Chris Ivey. “I expect him to keep pushing things along the way he has been. It takes everyone.”

With each state that fell to Obama, the crowd at the Shadow Lounge erupted into applause.

FOUR MORE YEARS—Stephanie Davis, of Penn Hills, celebrates four more years of leadership under President Barack Obama.

“I was actually shocked that it was such a tied election,” said Julian Nicholas of East Liberty. “Of the things Obama has been able to put through, they were positive. If the Republicans don’t block his policies, we will see the change we want.”

When the president took Pennsylvania with nearly 60 percent of the vote, many felt they had played a role in Obama’s victory. In fact the Obama campaign attributed the Pennsylvania win to high African-American turnout.

“It will give African-Americans more opportunities,” said Stephanie Davis from Penn Hills. “He’s not just doing this for the African-American community; he’s doing it for everyone. It shows they still have hope for him.”